COMMENTARY
Bills’ linemen have troubles on the run
News Sports Columnist
Updated: 11/06/08 8:24 AM
No doubt, James Carville is resting up after the election. But if the political maven were doing commentary for ESPN, not CNN, he’d be able to identify the top issue with the Bills:
“It’s the running game, stupid!”
The Bills are 5-3, still tied for the AFC East lead. But there’s a palpable unease in the air, a growing sense that they’re an average team that is finding its level.
Suddenly, there are issues everywhere you look. No pass rush. Not enough production out of receivers not named Lee Evans. Trent Edwards is under siege and turning the ball over too much. The special teams are ordinary. The injuries are piling up.
But the most troubling issue is the run game. The linemen couldn’t block a doorway. The Bills are 26th in the NFL in rushing, 30th in yards per carry. They don’t have a run over 22 yards. Marshawn Lynch is averaging 3.5 a crack.
When the Bills were unbeaten and finding ways to win in the fourth quarter, it was easy to overlook their problems in the run game. Not now. The weather is unseasonably warm. But you know what’s coming.
Cold. Wind. Rain. Conditions that used to bring out the defiant, physical personality of the best Bills teams. Running weather. They’d better figure it out soon if they expect to be a playoff team.
“We have to execute better,” said Eric Studesville, running game coordinator. “That’s an easy answer, but that’s where it lies. As coaches, I feel like we’ve got good game plans. But everybody’s got to pull their load.”
OK, you need to execute. You need all 11 guys. But come on, we’re not fixing the economy here. At some point, the highly paid mammoths up front are supposed to open holes for the backs.
Why can’t they run left and get 1 yard when it matters? Left guard Derrick Dockery is the highest-paid offensive lineman in team history at $7 million a season. When are we going to see evidence of why? Jason Peters held out of camp because he wants to be the highest- paid left tackle in the league.
If Peters had gotten his way, the Bills would have $100 million invested on the left side alone. Is a yard so much to ask? They had third-and-goal from the 1 in Miami and didn’t make it. They had fourth-and-1 at the Jets’ 8 and got stuffed.
“When you’re good at something, people try to stop it,” Peters said. “We’re good at running the ball, so they’re putting eight people in the box, and it’s hard to run with eight people in the box.”
The Bills’ weak downfield passing game is an issue. But good running teams don’t make the “eight in the box” excuse. They make the first down.
Tennessee is third in the NFL in rushing. You’re telling me defenses are terrified of Kerry Collins? New England is seventh. The Patriots have outgained the Bills on the ground by more than 300 yards. They’re averaging 4.4 a carry. They’re doing it with a backup quarterback, Matt Cassel, and a bunch of journeyman runners. You know who leads the Pats in rushing? Sammy Morris, who was cast off by the Bills and Dolphins. A rookie named BenJarvus Green-Ellis has almost as many TD runs (three) as names.
And the Pats aren’t spending nearly as much on the offensive line as the Bills.
Two weeks ago, the Bills were in the driver’s seat in the division. Now they’re reeling and heading to New England, desperate to regain their playoff momentum. They need to make a physical statement. If they can’t outclass the Pats on the ground this year, they’re in trouble.
You’re 26th in rushing, I told Peters. That’s not a playoff team.
“I’ll remember that comment when we make it,” Peters said.
They could start by actually making it on third-and-1.
